Walt <walt.king@phonecoop.coop> wrote: Here, it says that the last furnace was dismantled in 1938: "However, by 1914, Blaenavon was in decline. Steelworks moved nearer to the sea for obvious reasons and in 1938 the last Blaenavon furnace was dismantled." Meanwhile, Wikipedia maintains its customary standards: .... but since the ironworks closed in 1900 and the coal mine in 1980, the population has declined, and now consists mostly of older citizens. There is so much junk on the internet and the rubbish gets copied and propagated endlessly so it's important to use reliable sources. Gwent RO and BBC should be good. It seems that the last furnace was dismantled the year you were born............. =================== Dear Walt, The sources you've quoted are describing two different ironworks sites. The Forge Side site ceased production in 1938, while the original North Street site closed in the early 1900s. The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World-Heritage website states: ---------------- The main focus of the area is Blaenavon Ironworks, a site in state care, where there are remains of a works with six blast furnaces in which, from 1789 until 1902, ore was smelted to produce pig iron. ---------------- [http://www.world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk/] The Swansea Local History website's South Wales Coal Mining Trail includes an article on Blaenavon Ironworks that states: ---------------- The decline in the steel industry at Blaenavon marked the end of iron-making on the old site and the last furnace was blown out in 1904. ---------------- [http://www.page-net.com/swansea.localhistory/llansamlet/pages/miningtrail.html] On page 82 of "Blaenavon Through the Years" Volume 2, Malcom Thomas and John Lewis clarify the situation for us. I quote: ---------------- In the late 1830s, three modern blast furnaces were constructed on the new site at Forge Side. The new location was chosen due to there being ample room for expansion and for the siting of new machinery. Its position would also be accessible to the increasing network of railways in South Wales. The move heralded the closure of the North Street site, which ceased production by the end of the 19th century. ---------------- Note that the World Heritage Site is the North Street works. ["Blaenavon Through the Years - in photographs" by Malcom Thomas and John Lewis, Volume 2, published 1988 by Old Bakehouse Publications, Abertillery; ISBN 0-9512181-3-1] To summarise - the original North Street works, which is the famous World Heritage Site, ceased production soon after 1900. Production then switched entirely to the Forge Side site whose last furnace was taken out of commission in 1938. Kind regards, John -------------------- John Ball, Ystalyfera, near Swansea, Wales, UK E-mail: john@jlb2005.plus.com John's Homepage: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/ Images of Wales: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/walespic/ Welsh Family History Archive: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/wales/ GENUKI Breconshire Maintainer: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/BRE/ Joint Administrator - Powys (& BRE/MGY/RAD) RootsWeb mailing lists

Thanks Walt Thought my dad would have been correct. Always a very observant man. But that puts me out of it. GRIN. I could probably see the lights of the area and imagined it was the furnace. Yes, internet is a wonderful thing as long as you can sort out the dross from the truth. I'd much rather have a local expert or a trustworthy source. Wikipedia is not one I would use having been a teacher. Apparently anyone can amend the info there. Sounds a bit like Chinese Whispers we used to play at parties. The end product was nothing like the original statement. Many thanks again. Regards Dawn dawn.cumbley@virgin.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Walt" <walt.king@phonecoop.coop> To: <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 8:56 PM Subject: Re: [MON] Blaenavon > Hi Dawn, > > Well I didn't think all the people you quoted could have been mistaken. > > Here, it says that the last furnace was dismantled in 1938: > > http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/blaenavon/pages/ironworks.shtml > > "However, by 1914, Blaenavon was in decline. Steelworks moved nearer to > the > sea for obvious reasons and in 1938 the last Blaenavon furnace was > dismantled." > > Meanwhile, Wikipedia maintains its customary standards: > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaenavon > > Blaenavon grew around an ironworks opened in 1788, part of which is now a > museum. The steel-making and coal mining industries followed, boosting the > town's population to over 20,000 at one time, but since the ironworks > closed > in 1900 and the coal mine in 1980, the population has declined, and now > consists mostly of older citizens. > > There is so much junk on the internet and the rubbish gets copied and > propagated endlessly so it's important to use reliable sources. Gwent RO > and > BBC should be good. It seems that the last furnace was dismantled the year > you were born............. > > Walt > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dawn Cumbley" <dawn.cumbley@virgin.net> > To: <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 8:17 PM > Subject: Re: [MON] Blaenavon > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.18/733 - Release Date: > 25/03/2007 11:07 > >

Hi Dawn, Well I didn't think all the people you quoted could have been mistaken. Here, it says that the last furnace was dismantled in 1938: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/blaenavon/pages/ironworks.shtml "However, by 1914, Blaenavon was in decline. Steelworks moved nearer to the sea for obvious reasons and in 1938 the last Blaenavon furnace was dismantled." Meanwhile, Wikipedia maintains its customary standards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaenavon Blaenavon grew around an ironworks opened in 1788, part of which is now a museum. The steel-making and coal mining industries followed, boosting the town's population to over 20,000 at one time, but since the ironworks closed in 1900 and the coal mine in 1980, the population has declined, and now consists mostly of older citizens. There is so much junk on the internet and the rubbish gets copied and propagated endlessly so it's important to use reliable sources. Gwent RO and BBC should be good. It seems that the last furnace was dismantled the year you were born............. Walt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dawn Cumbley" <dawn.cumbley@virgin.net> To: <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 8:17 PM Subject: Re: [MON] Blaenavon

Hi Walt So does that mean I may have actually seen the glow myself which I thought I was imagining? I was born 1938. I was almost positive I had actually seen it but willing to accept that I couldn't possibly have done so. Perhaps it was something else I saw. Spent a lot of time walking the Devauden ridge particularly at night as my grandparents lived in Devauden and us nearer Chepstow. Method of travel - feet or dad's shoulders!!. Lots of us think we actually remember things that have been regularly discussed within the family but are only remembering them in imagination. Certainly then my dad's remembrances are correct according to your info. Maybe I should check at the Record Office. Anyway, we have kept the list alive. I will take a look at the URL for myself as you suggest. Many of my family were furnace/forge workers. Thanks for your help, all info is very welcome. Regards Dawn dawn.cumbley@virgin.net

Hi, I'm looking for Whatchtower Parade (or Watchhouse) as the address for some of my ancestors in the 1861 Census. I assume it is around Pill, Can anyone tell me of the exact location Regards Chris Perkins

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dawn Cumbley" <dawn.cumbley@virgin.net> To: <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 11:05 PM Subject: Re: [MON] Blaenavon > Hey thanks John, I thought it might have been a little later than that as > the people of Devauden used to talk when I was little, about being able to > see when they blew at Blaenavon. The sky would light up really bright. I > remember my dad and grancher talking about it. Maybe my dad was > remembering > via his dad as my dad was born 1906. Obviously too late for him to have > experienced it for himself. > Maybe not. See this below from http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/fulldesc_nofr?inst_id=36&coll_id=76635&expand= The perils of relying on the internet for information. This source however is authoritative. Walt Reference code(s): GB 0218 D.480, D.591.112, D.751 Held at: Gwent Record Office Title: Blaenavon Company Ltd Records Short Title: Blaenavon Company Ltd, records Creation date(s): 1696-1957 Level of description: Fonds Extent: To be supplied Name of creator(s): Blaenavon Company Ltd CONTEXT Administrative/Biographical history: The Blaenavon Iron and Coal Company was formed in 1836 and in that year purchased the ironworks at Blaenavon, Monmouthshire. The company went into liquidation in 1864. It was superseded by the Blaenavon Company Ltd, which sold out to the Blaenavon Iron and Steel Company Ltd in 1870. The cost of the switch to steel production in the 1870s forced that company's liquidation in 1878. It was replaced with a new Blaenavon Co. Ltd (the 'New Company'), incorporated in 1879, which purchased the Blaenavon Iron and Steel Works for £75,000. In 1909 the company's assets comprised 563 acres of freehold land, an iron works and steel works and underlying minerals. The plant then consisted of two blast furnaces, three Siemens Martin open hearth furnaces, soaking pits, reheating furnaces, cogging mill, finishing mill and boilers. There was also a steel tyre works, a quarry and three collieries. These works were extended by the erection of a Coke Oven and By-Product Plant in 1911 and a steel solid wheel and axle plant between 1937 and 1941. During both World Wars the Company was involved in Government work. During the First World War it manufactured shell steel as a Government 'Controlled Establishment'. During the Second World War a Crown Plant was installed for the production of aluminium and magnesium alloys for the Ministry of Aircraft Production. Following the First World War production gradually declined and by the Second World War steel production had stopped altogether. The Company lost its coal mining interests following the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947.

Hi Roy, You could try ringing the Registrar first, they might tell you which person that Elizabeth Pritchard married. Let me know how you get on. Regards, Gaynor ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roy Davies" <roy.davies43@ntlworld.com> To: <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 12:22 AM Subject: Re: [MON] Marriage Hello Gaynor, Thanks for that........it's the only one that corresponds, so it will be worth a speculative £7 ! Much appreciated Roy -------Original Message------- From: Glan Harris Date: 03/24/07 22:00:21 To: monmouthshire@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MON] Marriage Hi Roy, There is a marriage entry for an Elizabeth Pritchard with a Phillip John Williams on the same page. Brecknock district, June quarter 1864 ref 11b 181. Could this be a possibility? Best Wishes, Gaynor Harris Cornwall ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roy Davies" <roy.davies43@ntlworld.com> To: "Monweb" <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 9:42 PM Subject: [MON] Marriage > Evening All, > My gg/grandfather, John Williams of Pontypool, was > married to Elizabeth Pritchard of Llanelly,Brecknock.In the 1881 census , > they were 34 and 33 yrs old respectively, and living at High St. > Pontypool, > together with their 5 daughters . My Gran, Rachel was born later (c 1886). > I > have her and some of her sisters birth certificates, giving Elizabeths > maiden name. My problem is, I cannot find the marriage of John and > Elizabeth ! I have searched the Free BMD from 1868 to 1875.......and no > sign > of them! > Can anyone help me please? > Thank you > Roy > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hello Gaynor, Thanks for that........it's the only one that corresponds, so it will be worth a speculative £7 ! Much appreciated Roy -------Original Message------- From: Glan Harris Date: 03/24/07 22:00:21 To: monmouthshire@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MON] Marriage Hi Roy, There is a marriage entry for an Elizabeth Pritchard with a Phillip John Williams on the same page. Brecknock district, June quarter 1864 ref 11b 181. Could this be a possibility? Best Wishes, Gaynor Harris Cornwall ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roy Davies" <roy.davies43@ntlworld.com> To: "Monweb" <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 9:42 PM Subject: [MON] Marriage > Evening All, > My gg/grandfather, John Williams of Pontypool, was > married to Elizabeth Pritchard of Llanelly,Brecknock.In the 1881 census , > they were 34 and 33 yrs old respectively, and living at High St. > Pontypool, > together with their 5 daughters . My Gran, Rachel was born later (c 1886). > I > have her and some of her sisters birth certificates, giving Elizabeths > maiden name. My problem is, I cannot find the marriage of John and > Elizabeth ! I have searched the Free BMD from 1868 to 1875.......and no > sign > of them! > Can anyone help me please? > Thank you > Roy > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi, I am a new lister so hello to you all. I have just found some more links with Wales and wondered if anyone recognises these families.Emma ADLAM married a Charles COOPER. They were from Longbridge Deverill Wiltshire. One of their sons was James COOPER born Wiltshire 1869 he married a Annie MAGGS born Abercarn Wales 1870. They had children Gladys O COOPER 1898 Doris COOPER 1900. James's brothers Tom and Frank COOPER moved up from Wiltshire and was staying with him in 1901. They were living in Abercan Monmouthshire. I would be very interested if anyone knows anything about them. The brothers were in coal mining. My main research is on the ADLAM name so if anyone has any connection I would love to hear from them. Many thanks Beverley

Hey thanks John, I thought it might have been a little later than that as the people of Devauden used to talk when I was little, about being able to see when they blew at Blaenavon. The sky would light up really bright. I remember my dad and grancher talking about it. Maybe my dad was remembering via his dad as my dad was born 1906. Obviously too late for him to have experienced it for himself. Of course, Blaenavon is easily seen from the Devauden ridge. Thanks a lot for your help it is much appreciated. Regards Dawn dawn.cumbley@virgin.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Ball" <john@jlb2005.plus.com> To: <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 8:35 PM Subject: Re: [MON] Blaenavon > Dawn Cumbley <dawn.cumbley@virgin.net> wrote: > Could SKS tell me when the last blast was fired at the Blaenavon furnace > please? I know I could probably look it up ...... > ===================== > > Dear Dawn, > > According to the 'Blaenavon.info' website, "The last furnace was blown out > in 1904." > > See http://www.norbiton.com/blaenavon/ > > Kind regards, > > John > -------------------- > John Ball, Ystalyfera, near Swansea, Wales, UK > E-mail: john@jlb2005.plus.com > John's Homepage: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/ > Images of Wales: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/walespic/ > Welsh Family History Archive: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/wales/ > > GENUKI Breconshire Maintainer: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/BRE/ > Joint Administrator - Powys (& BRE/MGY/RAD) RootsWeb mailing lists > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.17/732 - Release Date: > 24/03/2007 16:36 > >

Hi Roy, There is a marriage entry for an Elizabeth Pritchard with a Phillip John Williams on the same page. Brecknock district, June quarter 1864 ref 11b 181. Could this be a possibility? Best Wishes, Gaynor Harris Cornwall ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roy Davies" <roy.davies43@ntlworld.com> To: "Monweb" <monmouthshire@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 9:42 PM Subject: [MON] Marriage > Evening All, > My gg/grandfather, John Williams of Pontypool, was > married to Elizabeth Pritchard of Llanelly,Brecknock.In the 1881 census , > they were 34 and 33 yrs old respectively, and living at High St. > Pontypool, > together with their 5 daughters . My Gran, Rachel was born later (c 1886). > I > have her and some of her sisters birth certificates, giving Elizabeths > maiden name. My problem is, I cannot find the marriage of John and > Elizabeth ! I have searched the Free BMD from 1868 to 1875.......and no > sign > of them! > Can anyone help me please? > Thank you > Roy > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Evening All, My gg/grandfather, John Williams of Pontypool, was married to Elizabeth Pritchard of Llanelly,Brecknock.In the 1881 census , they were 34 and 33 yrs old respectively, and living at High St. Pontypool, together with their 5 daughters . My Gran, Rachel was born later (c 1886). I have her and some of her sisters birth certificates, giving Elizabeths maiden name. My problem is, I cannot find the marriage of John and Elizabeth ! I have searched the Free BMD from 1868 to 1875.......and no sign of them! Can anyone help me please? Thank you Roy

G'day Ann Thanks for your information. At least I now have an area to search. The modern map lists Trosnant Street and the Oldmaps site gave me an area which was called Trosnant in the mid-victorian era. Would Bridge Street and Upper Bridge Street be considered part of Trosnant? I have some Lewis families living there in one of the censuses. I'll have a closer look next week but if the Bridge Streets aren't part of TRosnant, I'll have to look elsewhere. Regards Ray Lewis Hazelmere Western Australia Surname Interests in Monmouthshire: Davies; Jones; Lewis; Prosser http://www.LostCousins.com/?ref=LC894461 -----Original Message----- From: monmouthshire-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:monmouthshire-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Ann Macey Sent: Saturday, 24 March 2007 6:44 PM To: monmouthshire@rootsweb.com Subject: [MON] Triasnant Pontypool This is probably Trosnant and it is part of Pontypool town. Ann Macey List Admin ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MONMOUTHSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Dawn Cumbley <dawn.cumbley@virgin.net> wrote: Could SKS tell me when the last blast was fired at the Blaenavon furnace please? I know I could probably look it up ...... ===================== Dear Dawn, According to the 'Blaenavon.info' website, "The last furnace was blown out in 1904." See http://www.norbiton.com/blaenavon/ Kind regards, John -------------------- John Ball, Ystalyfera, near Swansea, Wales, UK E-mail: john@jlb2005.plus.com John's Homepage: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/ Images of Wales: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/walespic/ Welsh Family History Archive: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/wales/ GENUKI Breconshire Maintainer: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/BRE/ Joint Administrator - Powys (& BRE/MGY/RAD) RootsWeb mailing lists

Hi Could SKS tell me when the last blast was fired at the Blaenavon furnace please? I know I could probably look it up but I suspect we have an expert on listwho has it at his/her fingertips. Regards Dawn dawn.cumbley@virgin.net

On 24 Mar 2007, at 14:05, Raymaturner@aol.com wrote: > hi > what do you mean, ancestry.com is restricting access soon? > at family history centers - no change elsewhere yes there is a memo to the organiser of the center with details with what remains available Hugh W -- a wonderful artist in Denmark http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/ Beta blogger http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks old blogger GENEALOGE http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

On 23 Mar 2007, at 22:06, Roy Davies wrote: > Evening All!, > Can someone tell me if there was a "time > limit" from > the time a child was born to it's official registration, especially > around > the middle 1850's? about 25% never - not registered rules were tightened in about 1875 Hugh W > -- a wonderful artist in Denmark http://www.ingerlisekristoffersen.dk/ Beta blogger http://snaps4.blogspot.com/ photographs and walks old blogger GENEALOGE http://hughw36.blogspot.com/ MAIN BLOG

G'day everybody I am back on the trail of my Lewis forbears. My grandfather, Hector Vernon Lewis was born in what looks like TRIASNANT, Pontypool 16 October 1878 according to his birth certificate. There is no father's name on the certificate and his mother is shown as Sarah Ann Lewis, barmaid. Hector doesn't appear on the 1881 or 1891 census as far as I can find, only appearing on the 1901 Census as a stoker on HMS Monarch, at that time in Simonstown, South Africa. His marriage certificate gives his father's name as William Lewis, deceased. That and other clues indicate that he was probably brought up as a son by his grandmother. However, I am unable to find out which Sarah Ann Lewis might be his mother or which William Lewis was his putative father mainly because there are a few about in the various censuses. Also I am unable to find TRIASNANT and hoped that someone out there either in the Eastern Valley or with roots there might be able to assist. Regards Ray Lewis Hazelmere Western Australia Surname Interests in Monmouthshire: Davies; Jones; Lewis; Prosser <http://www.lostcousins.com/?ref=LC894461> http://www.LostCousins.com/?ref=LC894461

Dear Listers, This week's 'Retrospective Images of Wales' webpages, just uploaded onto my website, include: 1. Derelict Quarryworks' Cottages at Penwyllt in the Brecon Beacons National Park, county of Breconshire (eight pictures). This feature was first shown on 'Images of Wales' in October 1998. 2. The old limestone quarry, also at Penwyllt (eleven pictures). This feature was first shown on 'Images of Wales' in October 1998. As usual, these webpages will be on display for one week. 'Retrospective Images of Wales' is at www.jlb2005.plus.com/walespic/retro/retro.htm Kind regards, John -------------------- John Ball, Ystalyfera, near Swansea, Wales, UK E-mail: john@jlb2005.plus.com John's Homepage: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/ Images of Wales: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/walespic/ Welsh Family History Archive: http://www.jlb2005.plus.com/wales/ GENUKI Breconshire Maintainer: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/BRE/ Joint Administrator - Powys (& BRE/MGY/RAD) mailing lists

On Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:06:18 +0000 (GMT Standard Time) "Roy Davies" <roy.davies43@ntlworld.com> wrote: Hello Roy, > Can someone tell me if there was a "time limit" > from the time a child was born to it's official registration, > especially around the middle 1850's? Yes. 42 days. What /wasn't/ in place at that time was the ability to penalise offenders for non/late registration. That didn't arise until 1875 when a fine was introduced. A stiff one too, by the standards of the time. You'll occasionally see people state that registration was voluntary until 1875. That was not the case. However, since there was no penalty for non-registration, the law was toothless making it appear to be optional. -- Regards _ / ) "The blindingly obvious is / _)rad never immediately apparent" It's got nothing to do with the need to impress Titanic (My Over) Reaction - 999